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Volume 7 Issue 23 November 16, 2012

PRESBYbulletinPenn Presbyterian Medical Center

PPMC Weathers Hurricane S n

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dMy sincerest thanks to everyone at PPMC who displayed the highest level of commitment to our patients during Hurricane Sandy. With your help and dedication, we were able to provide exceptional care to our hospitalized patients as well as to those who were able to weather the storm to come in. Over 120 Presbyterian staff stayed overnight on Monday evening to assure continuity of care, many of them working double or extended shifts. We know that many of you placed the well being of our patients over your own personal situations, and weathered some very difficult conditions to be here.

I am proud of the way we worked together across clinical and administrative teams. From an emergency preparedness perspective, we began monitoring the weather reports as early as a week ahead of time to make sure we had the most accurate information. We were in touch with senior leadership at the corporate level and across all other entities to ensure a consistent plan of action and effective communication with all members of our staff. We were also in constant contact with other hospitals in the region, and had regular update calls with Philadelphia’s Emergency Operations Center.

Together, we were able to overcome many roadblocks and challenges including transportation difficulties and staffing shortages. Thanks to the hard work and efforts of many, we had enough hands on deck in the command center to field calls from staff and were able to make arrangements for transportation services where possible, and sleeping accommodations for all staff who needed a place to rest. Representatives from Safety, Security, Nursing, Administration, Public Affairs, Information Systems and other supporting departments worked to align central coordination for information dissemination, problem solving and decision making. Food and Nutrition Services stepped up to help make sure all faculty, staff and patients were fed and taken care of throughout the access emergency.

The staff response at PPMC was incredible. People stepped up and, in many cases, went above and beyond to make sure they arrived safely for their shifts. I’ve heard countless stories of members across many teams who walked miles in hurricane conditions to make it to their shifts on time, and others who assisted patients’ families with making hotel reservations and other accommodations when they were unable to get home. Commitments like these are what make Penn Presbyterian one of the top hospitals in the state, and I cannot express my gratitude enough to each one of you for your contributions and commitments during the hurricane.

-Michele Volpe, CEO and executive director, PPMC

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SPlease join us in congratulating Jennifer Nelson, BSN, RN, CMSRN, Clinical Nurse III in the MICU & Co-chair of the NSGLC, for winning the 2012 Nightingale Award of Pennsylvania in the category of Community Nursing!

Nightingale awards are based on the demonstration of excellence in several areas, including how each nurse significantly influences the quality of patient care, creates a collaborative environment for the practice of nursing models caring and compassion, and contributes to healing and health in the community.

Congratulations, Jen!

National Respiratory Care week

The week of October 21st, 2012 was designated as National Respiratory Care Week. Each year this week is a great opportunity to recognize the members of PPMC’s Respiratory Care Department and the Pulmonary Function Lab for their contributions. These clinicians are vital members of the interdisciplinary team, throughout the hospital. They provide respiratory assessment, diagnostics, ventilator management, treatment modalities, response to codes and rapid calls, transport of our intubated patients, and bedside bronchoscopy assist, and more. These folks are truly valued health care professionals.

This year, the department honored the memory of a beloved coworker, Elaine Grant, RRT, who was a Clinical Supervisor on the night shift and a member of the department for 25 years. Elaine passed away in May 2012, after her own struggle with pulmonary disease. The members of the Respiratory staff held a mobile, three-day bake sale, with proceeds benefiting a pulmonary foundation. Successfully, $856 was raised and will be donated. Thank you to all at PPMC who supported the department by indulging in the delicious baked treats.

Please join us in congratulating both Nishaminy Kasbekar, Pharmd, FaShP, and Jeanmarie Salonia, Pharmd, on their elected presidential positions within the Pennsylvania Society of Health-System Pharmacists (PSHSP) and Delaware Valley Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists (DVSHP).

PShP: Nishaminy Kasbekar, President

dVShP: Jeanmarie Salonia, President Elect

Congrats to you both!

CREdit COuNSEliNg wORKShOPPenn Homeownership Services is hosting a Credit Counseling Workshop on Monday, November 19th from 3:30 – 4:30 pm in Room 223 (Golkin), Houston Hall, 3417 Spruce Street. The workshop will feature a variety of information on improving your credit and will answer participants questions about credit issues. The workshop is open to UPHS staff. We ask that you RSVP if you plan to attend.

For more information, please visit. http://cms.business-services.upenn.edu/homeownership/phos-news-and-updates/71-update-1.html

Faculty and staff were recently invited to visit a mock-up of the new Critical Care Rooms being designed for the new Advanced Care Pavilion opening in 2015. This patient room model was constructed in the PPMC Library and was open for evaluation, feedback and suggestions. All staff were encouraged to offer input on the design of the new patient care space at PPMC!

PPMC Pharmacy Leaders